Sir Anthony Hopkins on Family Battles

Sir Anthony Hopkins' Reflections on His Past and Personal Struggles

Sir Anthony Hopkins, the 87-year-old Welsh actor known for his iconic roles in films such as The Silence of the Lambs, Nixon, The Two Popes, and The Father, has shared some deeply personal insights in his upcoming memoir titled We Did Ok, Kid. The book delves into his life away from the spotlight, including the breakdown of his first marriage to actress Petronella Barker, which lasted from 1967 to 1972.

In the memoir, Sir Anthony opens up about the emotional turmoil he experienced during that time. He recalls how he would buy bottles of whiskey each evening, using alcohol as a way to cope with his deep depression. “My depression was boundless; the booze was my pacifier. I brooded. She raged,” he wrote.

The couple’s relationship was marked by frequent arguments, but one particular incident escalated things significantly. After returning from a long trip to Scotland, Sir Anthony found himself in a heated argument with Petronella. She mocked him, calling him “Mr Lord High and Mighty” with “utter contempt.” In that moment, he felt an overwhelming sense of revulsion and fear for both himself and her.

“I had never been physically violent, but in that moment, I was filled with such revulsion that I became afraid for both myself and her,” he shared. After saying goodbye to their then 14-month-old daughter, Abigail, he packed his bag and left. He did not have contact with Petronella or Abigail for several years afterward, a decision he now considers his greatest regret.

Sir Anthony later married film production assistant Jennifer Lynton in 1973, and they divorced in 2002. He has been married to antiques dealer Stella Arroyave since 2003. Despite his personal struggles, he has remained open about his imperfections and the challenges of family relationships.

When asked about his strained relationship with his daughter, whom he is estranged from, Sir Anthony told The New York Times that his wife Stella had reached out for her to “come and see us.” However, there was no response, and he chose not to dwell on it. “I wish her well, but I’m not going to waste blood over that. If you want to waste your life being in resentment, fine, go ahead,” he said.

He emphasized that he wouldn’t carry any feelings of resentment and acknowledged that he was “imperfect.” “Life is painful. Sometimes people get hurt. Sometimes we get hurt. But you can’t live like that. You have to say, Get over it,” he reflected.

When asked if he hoped his daughter would read his new memoir, he replied, “I’m not going to answer that. No. I don’t care.” He added, “Please. I want you to. Because I don’t want to hurt her.”

Sir Anthony has previously spoken about his daughter, who is now in her mid-fifties, admitting he has no idea what her life is like now. In a 2018 interview, he said, “I don’t have any idea. People break up. Families split and, you know, ‘Get on with your life.’ People make choices. I don’t care one way or the other.”

In a 2006 interview with The Telegraph, Abigail, who is a singer, mentioned she could be open to a reunion, but only if it were a two-way effort. “We’ve never really been close. We’ve never discussed big life issues. Because, well, our relationship was always so sporadic,” she said.

We Did Ok, Kid will be released on November 4. The memoir offers a glimpse into the complexities of Sir Anthony’s personal life, revealing the emotional struggles and difficult decisions that shaped his journey.